Wheel gauge



smwa W. BAGGE May 112, i gle WHEEL GAUGE Filed Aug. 23, 1927 2 SheetsSheet l A TTORNEV LSMAW Mag 112, 1931.,

W. BAGGE WHEEL GAUGE Filed Aug. 23, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 {NVENTOR A fro/m5 y Patented Mai 12, 1931 WALTER BAGGE, or nos ANGELES, CALIF BAGG-E AND ONE-THIRD TO ABTHU My invention relates to and has for a purpose the rovision 0 a gauge particularly adapted, although not necessaril for use in determining the camber and caster of a vehicles front wheels, and being associate with absolutely and caster d by g l runs'true or not, the with the wheel permitting the necessary adjustments, such as for instance bending or twisting of the axle of the wheel to correc inaccuracies in the camber or caster, to be ied posimade while the gauge remains in appl tion and is rendering an accurate indication of the camber and caster existing 'n the wheel during the bending or twisting operation.

It is also a purpose of my invent' is adapted to be rigidly spindle of the wheel so th than the wheel for measuri mounting being applied the spindle with ease and dispatch and serving to firmly support the gauge upon an axis in perfect alinement with the axis of the spindle.

ill describe only one form gauge embodying m invention an point out the novel features in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a view showing in front elevation one form invention in applied position of a vehicle wheel;

Figure 2 is a view showing in side elevation the gauge embodied in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an operative connection for an indicator comprised in the gauge;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line H of Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

of wheel to the spindle 0am a B. nanorr, or we Application tiled August 23, 1927.

manner of association of the gauge t is adapted to be supporte o comprises d will then.

of wheel gauge embodying my PATENT OFFICE ABSIGNOB ANGE'LES, CALIFORNIA WHEEL GAUGE Serial No. 214,974.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail view of a clamp comprised in the gauge, an

Figure 7 is aview showing a front whgel assembly of a vehicle with the gauge embo ing my invention applie to the spindle o I the wheel.

. Referring specifically to the drawing in which similar .reference characters similar parts in each invention in its present prises a by which the designate views, my

a vehicle wheel of a steering closed end with a hu rality of flexible sections normally expanded and capable of being contracted to clampingly en age a collar C by means of a clampon the head 10, the inner periphery of the ring and the outer periphery of the head being correspondingly ta ered as shown in Figure 1 to form co-actsurfaces 16 and 17 respectively. e ring is adapted to be moved longitudinally of the head by means of a pair of rods secured in the ring at diametrically opposed points an extending through ears 18 d on the head. The free ends of the rods are threaded to receive thumb nuts 19, which when rotated on the rods in one directionengage the ears and then draw the rods and consequently the ring further onto the head, to cause the cam surfaces 16 and 17 to co-act in contracting d of the head into clamping en- G. In the applica- ,th

tion of the mounting the spindle or on'E-rimw 'ro anniis'r a; sleeve 26, and with the weight 29 broadly It will be clear that with the gauge G sub- 1 ilate 2o bv means of a member 33 in the form maintain a er endicular osition. 1|:

1 t P P adapted to be forced into engagement with pointing directly at the clamping lip 35 120 usual hub cap of the wheel (not shown) and to accommodate the gauge to wheels of difnut 20 of the spindle are first removed, the ferent diameters.

collar C then being applied to the spindle to ocking movement of the arm A is trans occupy the position shown in Figure l in mitted to the indicator I by means of a pair against an internal annular shoulder 24 in cator are each provided with a pair of the head formed by annularly grooving the grooves in side by side relation and receivin latter, after which the nuts 19 are rotated to the wires so as to Y prevent lateral displaceclamp the mounting rigidly to the collar, ment of the latter, the Wires being threaded with the longitudina axis of its extension 13 through openings 40 in the indicator and disposed in alinement with the spindle S. then twisted upon themselves to secure one he gauge Gembodying my invention comend of each of the wires to the indicator at prises a support T in the present instance 1n opposite sides of its pivot. The wires are the form of a metal plate 25 provided at one clamped at their other ends to the opposite end with a sleeve 26 adapted to freely reends of the arcuate portion 37 of the arm A, ceive the extension 13 of the mounting M so by means of clamping tongues 41 constitutthat the plate will be supported on the exing lateral extensions on the ends of the .or rocking movement. An actuatarcuate portion which are curled upon theming member in the form of an arm desi selves as shown in Figure 6, so that their 90 nated. generally at A is in the present infree ends are adapted to overlie the edge of stance formed of a pair of flat metal In'einthe arcuate portion. Each of the tongues is hers 27 secured together at intervals and 111 provided with a pair of registering openings, inclined relation by cross bars 28, the lower the lower one of which is threaded, and a end ot the members converging and being screw 42 is extended through the openings 9 provided with a weight 29, while the upper and operates to force the free end of the reend of the members freely receives therespective tongue into clamping engagement between the sleeve 26. A pair of trunnions with the end of the respective wire. This in the form of headed screw studs 30 extends manner of clamping the Wires to the arm A through openings in the members and are permits initial adjustment of the indicator I then threaded into the sleeve 26, so that the with respect to the arm when assembling, or arm i the support about an axis at right angles to the wires occur. and intersecting the longitudinal axis of the T e operation of the gauge is as follows: constitutes a pendulum. ported on the mounting M as illustrated in Pivotally mounted on a stud 31 threaded igure 1, a universal mounting of the arm into the plate is an indicator I in the form A is obtained due to the fact that the sup of a relatively short arm having a pointed port T is free to rock about the axis of the free end adapted to move across a graduated' extension 13, while the arm is free to rock no dial constructed of a strip of metal of about its trunnions at right angles to the arcuate form and having one longitudinal plane of movement of the support, so that the edge provided with a flange The dial is arm by the provision of its Weight 29 condetachably secured upon the front side of the stitutes, a plumb bob constantly acting to of a strip of metal secured to the back side Assuming that no camber is present in the f th late by rivets 34 a d having its upwheel, and with the latter facing directly per end bent upon itself 1n spaced relation forward, the arm as well as the indicator to provide a lip 35 overlying the plate and I will occupy vertical positions, the indicator the dial D by means of a screw 36 threaded which serves as a zero mark on the graduainto the member 33 and bearing against the tio f th di l 1), Sh ld th h l h plate, so as to clamp the dial to the plate with amb r r i th r w rd i li f th th flange 32 of t e dialresting upon he perpendicular due to an inclination of the corresponding arcuate shaped end f h spindle S from the horizontal, as is shown in 126 plate By detachably securing the dial D Figure l, the support T will be likewise into the plate 25 in this manner the dial can clined from the horizontal, while the arm A readily be removed and any one of other will'mainta-in its vertical position. The insimilarly shaped dials (not shown) and bearicator I, through the medium of its opering different graduations can be substituted ative connection with the arm A, will howparts of the gauge so ever now be inclined from a vertical an amount proportional to the movement of the arm A with respect to the support T so as to indicate on the graduations of the dial D the amount of camber existing in the wheel.

To determine the caster of the wheel resulting from an inclination of the king pin P from a vertical downwardly and forwardly of the .vehicle, the gauge is allowed to remain in applied position and the wheel swung about the axis of the king pin first to one extreme position and then to the other. Should caster exist in the wheel the support T will be rocked about the extension 13 during steering movement of the wheel due to the action of the arm At in maintaining a vertical position, the relative movement of the support and arm being transmitted to the indicator by the wires 36. It is only necessary for the operator to note the position of the indicator on the dial when the wheel is in both of its extreme positions, the difference in the two readings being the caster as existing in the wheel. Should no caster be present the indicator will remain stationary with respect to the dial, its posh tion on the latter in this instance being determined solely by the amount of camber present in the wheel.

It will be understood that although I have illustrated and described but one gauge and one mounting, that in actual practice two of each would be used so that both front wheels of the vehicle could be tested simultaneously and the required adjustments, if any, be made from a consideration of the readings of both gauges. It will further be manifest that my invention broadly speaking, pro- .vides a. gauge mounting adapted to be secured to a vehicle wheel spindle with the utmost ease and dispatch to support agauge in a predetermined relationship to the spindle, and further provides a gauge capable of being supported on the mounting with the functionally related to each other and to the mounting that a true and accurate indication of the camber and caster existing in the wheel will be effected by the gauge.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of wheel gauge embodying my invention, it is to be understoodthat various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 7

1. In combination, a gauge mounting, means for securing the mounting to the spindle of a vehicle wheel, and a gauge comprising a support having a dial thereon, means for mounting the support on the gauge mounting for movement about an axis in alinement with the wheel spindle, a member, means for mounting the member on the support for movement about a second axis at a right angle to the first mentioned axis, means on the member weighted so as to maintain a predetermined posltion irrespective of the camber or caster of the Wheel, an indicator mounted on the support, and means for operatively connectin the last means to the indicator to cause the latter to indicate on the dial the camber or caster of the wheel.

2. Incombination, a gauge mounting, means for securing the mounting to the spindle of a vehicle wheel, and a gauge comprising a support having a dial thereon, means for mounting the support on the gauge mounting for movement about an axis in alinement with the wheel spindle, a weighted arm, means for mounting the arm for pivotal movement on the support about an axis at right angles to the first mentioned axis and so that the arm will be free to maintain a predetermined position irrespective of the camber or caster of the wheel, an indicating arm pivotally mounted on the supportfor movement over the dial, and means for operatively connecting the weighted arm and indicating arm so that the latter will respond to movement of the former to indicate on the dial the camber or caster of the wheel.

3. In combination, a gauge mounting, means for securing the mounting to the spindle of a vehicle wheel, and a gauge comprising a support having a dial thereon, means for mounting the support on the gauge mounting for-movement about an axis in alinement with the wheel spindle, a member, means for mounting the member on-the support for movement about a second axis at a right angle to and intersecting the first mentioned axis, means on the member weighted so as to maintain a predetermined position irrespective of the camber or caster of the wheel, an indicator mounted on the support, and means for operatively connecting the last means to the indicator to cause the latter to indicate on the dial the camber or caster of the wheel.

4. In, combination, a gauge mounting comprising a head having an extension and means for securing the head to the spindle of a vehicle wheel with the longitudinal axis of said extension disposed in alinement with the longitudinal axis of the spindle, and a gauge carried by the extension and comprising a support having a dial thereon and mounted on said extension for rocking movement about the axis of the latter, means mounted on the support for rocking movement about an axis at right angles to and intersecting the axis of the extension, said means being weighted so as to maintain a fixed position relative to the vertical irrespective of the camber or caster of the wheel. an indicator mounted on the support, and

means for operatively connecting said means support and movable over said dial, and an v mounted on the sleeve upon an axis at right to the indicator to cause the latter to indicate on the dial the camber or caster of the the strip.

acting cam surfaces on said head and ring, and means for effecting movement of the ring on the head to cause said cam surfaces to move said contractible sections into clamp ing engagement with said collar.

10. In a device of the character described a mountin comprising a cup shaped head having as iaft projecting axially from its closed end, upon which a gauge is adapted to be mounted, said head being split from its open end inwardly at circumferentially spaced intervals to provide a plurality of wheel.

5. In combination, a gauge mounting comprising a head having an extension and means by which the head is adapted to be secured to the s indle of a vehicle wheel to dispose the longitudinal axis of the extension in 1ongitudinal alinement with the spindle, and a gauge comprising a support having a dial thereon and mounted on the extension for rocking movement about its axis, a weighted arm mounted on the support for rocking movement about an axis at right angles to and intersecting the axis of the extension, an indicating arm pivotally mounted on the adapted to be detachably secured to the axle of a vehicle wheel and over which the open end of the head is adapted to be extended,a ring mounted for movement on said head, ears on said head, threaded rods secured to the ring and extending through said ears, co-acting cam surfaces on said head and ring and nuts on said--rods adapted when rotated in one direction to engage said ears and thereby move said ring relative to the head to cause the contractible sections of the latter to clampingly engage said collar.

11. In a device of the character described, a mounting comprising a cup shaped head havlng an extension on which a gauge is adapted to be supported, means for rendering the head contractable, a member adapted to be secured to the spindle of a vehicle wheel and capable of being received in the head, and means for contracting the head into clamping engagement with the member so as to secure the mounting to the member with said extension in axial alinement with the wheel spindle.

12. In combination, a gauge mounting, means for securing the mounting to the spindle of a vehicle wheel, a support, means for mounting the support on the gauge mounting for movement about an axis in alinement with the wheel spindle, a pendulum, means for mounting the pendulum on the support for movement about an axis at right angles to the first mentioned axis so that the pendulum constantly acts to maintain a predetermined position irrespective of the camber or caster of the wheel, and means operable in response to relative movement between the support and pendulum to indicate the camber or caster of the wheel.

13. In combination, a gauge mounting, means for securing the mounting to the spindle of a vehicle wheel, a support, means for mounting the support on the gauge mounting for movement about an axis in alinement with the wheel spindle, a pendulum, means for mounting the pendulum on the support for movement about an axis at right angles to the first mentioned axis so that the pendulum constantly acts to maintain a predetermined position irrespective of the camber or caster of the wheel, means operable in response to relative movement between the operative connection between the arms by which the movement of the weighted arm is transmitted to the indicating arm.

6. A gauge of the character described comprisin a support including a plate having a gra uated dial thereon and a sleeve by which the support is adapted to be mounted for rocking movement upon an extension of i a gauge mounting, a weighted arm pivotally angles to and intersecting the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, an indicating arm pivotally mounted on the plate, and a pair of reversely disposed cables connected to the arms in a manner to transmit movement of the weighted arm to the indicating arm.

7 A gauge as embodied in claim 6, wherein said dial comprises an arcuate shaped strip, and means is provided for detachably securing the strip to one side of the plate which comprises a member secured to the plate and having one end thereof free and bent upon itself to overlie an edge of the plate, and a screw threaded into the member and acting when rotated into engagement with the plate to move the bent free end of the member into binding engagement with 8. In a device of the character described, a mounting comprising a head having an extension upon which a gauge is adapted to be supported, and means by which the head is adapted to be detachably secured to the spindle of a vehicle Wheel with the longitudinal axis of said extension disposed in alinement with the longitudinal axis of the spindle.

9. In a device of the character described a mounting comprising a cup shaped head having a shaft projecting axially from its closed end, upon which a gauge is adapted to be mounted, said head being split from its open end inwardly at circumferentially spaced intervals to provide a plurality of relatively contractible sections, a collar adapted to be detachably secured to the axle of a vehicle wheel and over which the open end of the head is adapted to be. extended, a ring mounted for movement on said head, co-

relatively contractible sections, a collar support and pendulum to indicate the camher or caster of the wheel, and comprising an I indicator mounted for rocking movement on the sup rt, means for operatively conneting thecindicator to the pendulum for move-i ment by the latter and a dial on the support with which the indicator coacts.

14. In combination, a gauge mounting, means for securing the mounting to thespin m die of a vehicle wheel, a weighted arm, means,

for mounting the arm on the gauge'mounting for movement about an axis in alinement with the wheel spindle and about an axis at right. angles to and intersecting the first mentioned 15 axis, and means operable in response to relative movement between the weighted arm and last means to indicate the camber or caster of the wheel.

15. In combination, a gauge mountin an having a portion on which a gauge is adapte to be mounted, means for securing the mounting to a wheel spindle with said ortion disposed in axial alinement with t e spindle, a pendulum, means for mounting the pendu= 25 lum on said portion for rocking movement, indicating means, and means for operatively connecting the indicating means to the pendulum for actuation by'the latter to indicate the camber or caster of the wheel.

to 16. In combination, a gauge mounting, means for securing the mounting to a wheel spindle, a gauge carried by the mounting and including an actuating member and means for mounting the actuating member for rock- 3 ing movement about an axis at a right angle to and intersecting thelongitudinal axis of the wheel spindle.

17. In combination, a gauge mountingmeans for securing the mounting to a wheel at spindle, agaugecomprising means for mounting the gauge on said mounting for rochdng movement about an axis alined with the longitudinal axis of the wheel spindle, the gauge also including an actuatingmember and means as for mounting the actuating member for rocking movement about an axis at a right angle to and in intersecting relation to the first mentioned axis.

18. The combination with a gauge inc1ud-- t0 ing a support; means for mounting the support for rocking movement about an axis alined with the longitudinal axis of a wheel spindle; the gauge including indicatin'g means, an actuating v member for 55 the latter, and means for mounting the actuating member on the support for rocking movement about an axis at a right angle to and in intersecting relation to-the first mentioned axis.

"WALTER Bacon. 

